New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday dismissed claims that the government plans to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), asserting that no such proposal is under consideration and cautioning against the spread of misinformation on aviation safety.
The minister's remarks came after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the government was planning to mix ethanol with ATF, raising concerns over flight safety.
Responding on social media platform X, Naidu said the claims were "completely false and irresponsible".
"There is no such proposal. Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government's highest priority," he said.
Naidu also clarified that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are different fuels and should not be confused.
He explained that SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted by several countries as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sector.
According to the minister, SAF undergoes rigorous testing and complies with global safety and performance standards before being approved for use in aircraft operations.
Earlier this week, the government informed Parliament that India's airport infrastructure has received a significant boost, with the country's total annual passenger handling capacity now exceeding 580 million passengers.
It said the increase is the result of continuous expansion and modernisation initiatives undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators.
The government added that airport expansion projects are being implemented based on factors including traffic growth, operational requirements, airline demand, financial viability and techno-economic considerations.
With IANS inputs